This week, many across our nation stood in awe as a total solar eclipse swept across America.

When we stop and think about it, the fact that we have solar eclipses at all is incredible.  There are so many factors that must be perfectly in tune for this to happen.

• The sun has to be a certain size and distance from the earth.

• The moon has to be a certain size and distance between both the sun and the earth.

• Everything must line up perfectly during the New Moon phase.

• The sun, moon, and earth all have to rotate on the right planes.

• The earth has to be in the right position to view the eclipse.

• There must be intelligent beings there to view it, understand it, and stand in awe of it.

Joe Rao from space.com explains these factors in greater detail: “The sun’s 864,000-mile diameter is fully 400 times greater than that of our puny moon, which measures just about 2,160 miles. But the moon also happens to be about 400 times closer to Earth than the sun (the ratio varies as both orbits are elliptical), and as a result, when the orbital planes intersect and the distances align favorably, the new moon can appear to completely blot out the disk of the sun” (Solar Eclipses).

Change any of these factors and only a partial solar eclipse would be possible. If things were changed more dramatically, eclipses would be totally impossible. At it stands, everything is perfect for solar eclipses. The sun is at the perfect size and distance. The moon is at the perfect size and distance. The earth is in the perfect position to see eclipses. Everything rotates on the right planes to see all of these things align. And we are here to stand in awe of it all.

The odds of all these things happening perfectly is astronomical. Sadly, scientists have chalked total solar eclipses as “accidents in nature” (ibid). When God is taken out of the picture, there really isn’t any other option available than calling things “an accident.”

Solar eclipses are no accident. They happen because God wanted to give us another visible proof of His power and magnificence. They happen to show evidence of His existence. When He created the sun, moon, and stars, He placed everything perfectly so we could watch in awe (Genesis 1:14-19). Solar eclipses are one more way we can clearly see God’s “eternal power and divine nature” (Romans 1:20).

Brett Petrillo

Spiritual Eclipse

Excitement over the eclipse is over the top. We know that is when the moon gets between us and the sun. People have gone bonkers over this natural phenomenon, and I understand this because it doesn’t happen every day or every year. So, people are coming from all over to see this take place and spending lots of money.

There is another eclipse that I am more concerned about; that is when the world gets between people and the SON. That has caused more darkness than the “natural” eclipse.

Yet it seems no one is concerned about it or even aware of it. We wonder what is happening in our country, in the world. We’ll I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I believe that it is because of the eclipse of the SON of God. This eclipse will not go away naturally. It will only go away when we take the world away from our sight. It is up to us individually and nationally. Don’t let it be what the Bible says of the world in John’s day. “They would not repent” (Revelation 9: 20-21), in spite of God’s efforts to get them to do so.

John Hall

This week, many across our nation stood in awe as a total solar eclipse swept across America.

When we stop and think about it, the fact that we have solar eclipses at all is incredible.  There are so many factors that must be perfectly in tune for this to happen.

• The sun has to be a certain size and distance from the earth.
• The moon has to be a certain size and distance between both the sun and the earth.
• Everything must line up perfectly during the New Moon phase.
• The sun, moon, and earth all have to rotate on the right planes.
• The earth has to be in the right position to view the eclipse.
• There must to be intelligent beings there to view it, understand it, and stand in awe of it.

Joe Rao from space.com explains these factors in greater detail: “The sun’s 864,000-mile diameter is fully 400 times greater than that of our puny moon, which measures just about 2,160 miles. But the moon also happens to be about 400 times closer to Earth than the sun (the ratio varies as both orbits are elliptical), and as a result, when the orbital planes intersect and the distances align favorably, the new moon can appear to completely blot out the disk of the sun” (Solar Eclipses).

Change any of these factors and only a partial solar eclipse would be possible. If things were changed more dramatically, eclipses would be totally impossible. At it stands, everything is perfect for solar eclipses. The sun is at the perfect size and distance. The moon is at the perfect size and distance. The earth is in the perfect position to see eclipses. Everything rotates on the right planes to see all of these things align. And we are here to stand in awe of it all.

The odds of all these things happening perfectly is astronomical. Sadly, scientists have chalked total solar eclipses as “accidents in nature” (ibid). When God is taken out of the picture, there really isn’t any other option available than calling things “an accident.”

Solar eclipses are no accident. They happen because God wanted to give us another visible proof of His power and magnificence. They happen to show evidence of His existence. When He created the sun, moon, and stars, He placed everything perfectly so we could watch in awe (Genesis 1:14-19). Solar eclipses are one more way we can clearly see God’s “eternal power and divine nature” (Romans 1:20).

Brett Petrillo

There are many things that can “fill us up.” Fried chicken can fill one up. Marital love can fill one up. Our vocation in life can often come pretty close to filling us up in several ways.

The apostle Paul had a wish for the members of the church at Ephesus. He wrote, “That you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19b). One might achieve that by learning the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ, which, he said, surpasses knowledge.

The cube is a perfect structure. Perhaps that’s why in the Temple, the Holy of Holies, was meant to serve as a place for God’s presence. It was a cube, an object that has four equal sides.

Perhaps Paul asks us to look at Christ’s love that way and view it from all sides. Certainly, delineating the love of Christ would take more space than this magazine can hold! Let’s look at four sides.

Christ’s love is so long it encompasses all time. How long will Jesus love us? There is no end to his love because there is no end to him. He has pledged to continue with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

How deep is Christ’s love? It is so strong no outside power can separate us from it. While we can separate ourselves from him, no one else — no other power — can (Romans 8:38-39).

How high is Christ’s love? I often wonder what it would be like to climb Mt. Everest, almost 30,000 ft. above sea level. Christ’s love is so strong that he came down here to Earth, lived, and died as a man so that we might go to heaven one day.

To what lengths did Christ go to save sinful humans? Can we start with his birth, life, teachings, suffering, and death on the cross? Would that cover it? No. There is so much more.

He loves you and wants to save you. You must start by obeying the gospel and living a life of faithful service to him. Why not begin today?

John Henson

God created mankind. He knows what we need. He knows we need each other. God knows this world is complicated. He knows this world is painful. God created both the marriage relationship for companionship and He created friendship for companionship. It is in that context that God created the church – as a group of believers to serve each other and to serve their fellowman.

Why should Christians serve?

JESUS CAME TO SERVE:

In Mark 10:45, Jesus points out very simply that He did not come to be served but to serve, to offer His life as a ransom for many. Doing good to others was an integral part of the ministry of Jesus Christ (Matt. 4:23). When Peter was telling the first non-Jewish convert to Christianity about Jesus Christ, Peter began with this very same point: “Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).

Why should Christians serve?

BECAUSE THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO BE COMPASSIONATE!

God has always required His children to serve others. Take the Jews, for example – the first religion organized by God. In Deuteronomy 15:4-8, the law says: “However, there will be no poor among you, since the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, if only you listen obediently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today. For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.”

In fact, the word “poor” is found 143 times in the Bible! From beginning to end, the Bible teaches us to help the poor.

In the great “Sermon on the Mount,” Matthew 6:2-4, Jesus assumes that His followers will help the poor: “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Paul was eager to “help the poor” (Gal. 2:10).

Why should Christians serve?

BECAUSE THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO BE SELFLESS:

In Romans 12:3, Paul tells us: “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” and a few verses later, Paul will say that when you give to help others, do so liberally (verse 8).

Christians have the highest standard and the highest motivation and the greatest example of “selflessness” there is – that is the person of Jesus Christ…

Why should Christians serve?

BECAUSE JESUS INSPIRES US!

Take a look at 2 Corinthians 8:9-10: “    For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.” The context of 2 Corinthians 8 is giving to help those who are in need. But Paul sets this discussion in the overall context of Jesus, who was rich but became poor for our sakes. Now, the Bible does not require us to become poor. Nowhere. But it does teach us to use our riches wisely and part of that wisdom is helping those who need help.

The 17-year-old kid certainly looked like a Walmart employee. He had all the correct attire and even knew how the corporation worked, especially since he was an employee at one point. He began traveling from store to store posing as “a manager from another branch.” The real Walmart employees bought his story. This teen guy successfully conned three different Walmart stores, achieving access to back offices and cash registers. Before he was caught, he had compiled almost $30,000 (Channel 4 News).

Some of the most dangerous people are those who seem like they belong when, in reality, they have sinister intentions. This is especially true in spiritual matters. Deceptive people like these have been responsible for ripping apart congregations, pulling people away from the church, and introducing false teachings. The damage they cause is devastating and, in some cases, irreversible.

Scripture warns, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words…” (1 Peter 2:1-3; cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-3).

While a Christian should always carry an attitude of love and kindness towards everyone, let’s also keep a watchful eye for those who may have bad intentions. Let’s be one who diligently study God’s Word. Let’s also test what is being taught and make sure it checks out with what Scripture says (1 John 4:1-6; Revelation 2:2).

Brett Petrillo

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NKJV).

When I first began to travel internationally most major airlines were allowing up to two checked pieces of luggage, each of which could contain up to 70 pounds. Additionally, each passenger was allowed one carry-on bag and a personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or camera bag. Over-weight was often ignored.

Those times are long past. Even before the pandemic weight and quantity of bags was reduced even on the largest jets. Now one must carefully consider just what is essential for travel and leave behind much that might be useful. Our concept of excess has changed drastically, as has that of essential.

This same transformation has affected much more than just travel. Tiny houses, small apartments, sub-compact cars, and many other reductions appeal to major sections of the population. So, too, do modern alternatives to traditional religions.

Words like church and familiar denominational names carry many negative connotations in the modern world. As a result, one sees a plethora of independent institutions whose signage suggests religion without the baggage of hypocrisy, harsh judgment, and sectarian strife from which so many recoil.

On a recent trip I saw such a sign. It proclaimed, “First Independent All Nation Full Gospel Church.” I could not help but interpret that as an effort to distance themselves from traditional institutions and to claim as much tolerance and acceptance as a visitor might wish to encounter.

The list of features of mainstream denominations considered objectionable in today’s society is long, and only partially covered in the list just above (hypocrisy, etc.). To those must be added intolerance, boredom, irrelevance, and others. Religious leaders who are committed to the meeting-felt-needs approach to marketing and church growth have sought to adapt by utilizing new and sometimes radical methods and doctrines. Prominent among these is the abandonment of what is perceived as excess baggage.

The idea of leaving behind that which is unnecessary, counterproductive, or a hindrance to one’s objectives is sound and even biblical. The issue is not whether we should shed those things, but rather just what is excess and what is necessary?

Take for example the problem of engaging modern audiences in the worship of God. For decades it has been charged that traditional church assemblies are boring. Especially is this aimed at sermons and Bible studies. The fact is that Christianity is a taught and learned endeavor (Ephesians 4:17-24; Romans 10:13-17). One cannot practice it without some time spent in study and thought. To those who have no interest in spiritual matters, all sermons, no matter how skillfully presented, will be tedious. The proper approach to this situation is not to abandon the effort to teach but to seek to prepare the audience for learning.

Other often criticized features of religion are harsh judgment and intolerance. Jesus taught us not to judge inappropriately (Matthew 7:1-2). But in the same context he also counseled his disciples to “beware of false prophets,” advising that “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16). Obviously, he did not ban all judgment, but rather that which was hypocritical and based on a double standard. Some judging is not only allowed but demanded.

With regard to the charge of intolerance, it is true that Christianity claims exclusivity. “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14). The biblical truth is that not everyone is going to heaven. Not every human choice is open to those who would please God. There are practices of which God himself is intolerant. His followers must not abandon those principles as excess.

One who would run the Christian race must avoid unnecessary hindrances. But he or she must also be equipped with all that is essential to overcome sin and to “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

by Michael Brooks

Paul presented evidence to prove the authenticity of his apostleship (2 Corinthians 10-12). Among the evidence were all the signs, wonders, and mighty deeds he was able to perform (2 Corinthians 12:12). Paul also presented evidence to prove the sincerity and conviction of his faith and apostleship. Included in that is a list of those ordeals and difficulties he was willing to suffer. His endurance of such torments proved the true conviction of his heart, and supported his claim to be a genuine apostle of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 11). An interesting statement regarding the churches is found in Paul’s list of that which he suffered. Paul said, “besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28). This concern for all the churches is listed among that which Paul suffered.

Paul’s deep concern for all the churches weighed heavily upon him. Much of this concern was the result of Paul having to fight against Satan’s many attacks against the early church. In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul warned the brethren to “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). The continued attacks against the church through false teachers was no doubt a part of that which caused Paul’s deep concern for all the churches.

In his two letters to the church at Corinth one can see numerous ways in which Satan was able to sow discord among brethren. They fought over elevating certain men above others, they fought over law suits, they fought over matters of liberty (expediency), and they fought over miraculous gifts. This constant struggle with discord and immorality (1 Corinthians 5) in the church at Corinth must have been included among the lists of issues regarding the churches that caused Paul to suffer with deep concern.

The book of Galatians was written to churches in the region of Galatia that had been strongly influenced by false teachers. Paul expressed his disappointment at their quick departure from the truth (Galatians 1). His fight against the binding of religious error upon Galatians Christians even brought him into a position of being at odds with Peter and Barnabas (Galatians 2). Regarding Peter, Paul said, “I withstood him to the face” (Galatians 2:11). Even well-known, typically sound and strong leaders in the church like Peter caused a problem for Paul. Paul’s letter to the Galatians spoke of how people who had once been his friends had been turned against him by false teachers. The false teachers were “zealously courting” these brethren so that Paul even feared that those who had once loved him now consider him to be an enemy (Galatians 4).

Paul was constantly working to help congregations maintain their unity despite attacks from false teachers, the binding of opinions, and the cultural/racial battle between Jews and Gentiles in the church. In Ephesians Paul encourages unity among Jews and Gentiles in the church. In Philippians Paul encourages unity in the church through humility (Philippians 2:1-11) and even mentions two women who needed help getting along (Philippians 4:2-3). Paul worried the church at Colosse would be deceived with persuasive words (Colossians 2:4). Paul warned Timothy of those who desire to be teachers but really don’t understand what they want to teach (1 Timothy 1:7). He even went so far as to name two individuals who had made shipwreck of the faith (1 Timothy 1:19-20). In the first letter to Timothy the inspired apostle recorded the express warning of the Holy Spirit “that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, have their own conscience seared with a hot iron…” (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Paul gave strong warning to Timothy of these kinds of men in the second letter as well (2 Timothy 3:1-13). Such men would cause the faithful to be persecuted, and would grow worse and worse, but Paul told Timothy throughout all of this he must continue in that which he had learned, which was the Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 3:12-17).

The early church was not at peace from outside persecution for long. Neither was the early church at peace within from false teachers and arrogant trouble makers for long. Surely these are the problems that caused Paul to list his deep concern for all the churches among those things which we suffered for his faith, his apostleship, and his Lord (2 Corinthians 11:28).

Brethren, the church is no different today. Churches of Christ are constantly forced into times of turmoil and trouble by arrogant men. Numerous false doctrines are used by Satan to attack congregations. Entire methods and manners of thinking have been distorted by the devil to cause unrest, distrust, and a lack of unity among churches. This is the way it has always been, and this is the way it always will be. Our responsibility in all of this is to “Hold fast to the pattern of sound words…” (2 Timothy 1:13). We must stay with the word even in such times when men do not endure sound doctrine, but would rather have teachers tell them the lies they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

By Kevin V. Rutherford

The story is told of an old lady who had moved to the United States from Europe when she was a child, but now she wanted to officially become a citizen of this country.  After months of going through all the necessary red tape, she was finally ready to take the required oath.

“Raise your right hand, please.”

She raised her right hand.

“Do you swear to defend the Constitution of the United States against all its enemies, domestic or foreign?” was the first question.

The little old lady’s face paled and her voice trembled as she asked in a small voice, “Uhhh . . . all by myself?”

I know the feeling.  When I read what the apostle Paul had to say about the great spiritual battle going on, I tremble a bit.  Paul said,

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  (Eph. 6:12)

The thoughts of waging such a battle alone is enough to cause even the most stout-hearted to tremble.  But we don’t go into battle alone!

We go forth as a part of the army of God, led by the Son of God in all his glory, and side by side with every brother and sister in Christ on the face of this earth.  The battle is still a difficult one.  There will be many casualties along the way.  But, thank God, we do not fight it alone!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Where we are and where we are going is largely determined by the decisions we make. To a large degree the decisions we make lead us down the pathway of life and even towards our eternal destiny. But how much do we contemplate the importance of those decisions? You know, there are some things we just really need to be good at and one of them is decision making!

Let’s give some brief thought to this subject matter right now, while understanding that much more is certainly needed.

1. We need to make biblically-based decisions. That is impossible without knowing the Scripture. The better we know the Scripture, the wisdom of Almighty God, the better prepared we are to make spiritually sound decisions. The Bible is a lamp to our feet (Ps. 119:105). It provides us with all that we need for both life and godliness (2 Pt. 1:3). Without it, you will merely live the way you think is right (see Prov. 14:12). Two suggestions: (1) Build your knowledge of God’s Word every day. This discipline will aid your daily decision making and build your base of knowledge for making decisions on the road ahead. (2) Also, when you are confronted with decisions, always ask, “What wisdom does God’s Word shed on this matter?” It will not lead you wrong! Be a Bible-based decision maker!
2. Pray about your decisions. Is there anyone who simply cannot use a little more wisdom for the decisions faced in life? James says, “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him” (Jam. 1:5). Prayer in this regard should not be seen in separation from the former point. Much like praying for our daily food, God is not going to merely pour His knowledge and wisdom upon us! But there is much power in knowledge and discernment is needed to harness and use that knowledge to help us make sound decisions. A morning prayer concerning our decisions that day will help us begin the day with the right focus with decisions we will make. Perhaps there are few things to pray for that are as vital as wisdom concerning our decisions.
3. Make good big decisions. Some decisions we make in life are very weighty. They will lead us a long way down the road of life, and can even set the tone for eternity. Think about this from a mainly positive vantage point. Making a decision to become child of God and to truly give our heart and life to the Lord is a game changer, for life and for eternity! And that decision should lead us to be extremely sober with decisions that can either help or hinder our faithfulness to the Lord. Beyond the decision to become a Christian, perhaps there is nothing that pushes us further toward eternity in heaven than marrying a faithful child of God. It is a sound decision (of course, there are other factors as to whom we marry). This good, big decision will also have a great impact on generations to come. Make good big decisions. Make them prayerfully. Make them biblically.

(4) Make good small decisions. Now, I’m not talking about contemplating the color of the shirt you will wear tomorrow! But don’t think that the devil can’t work through bad small decisions. While he may derail some with catastrophic decisions, he knows he can succeed much more easily in getting many of us to take one little bad bite at a time. Please know, in a sense, that with each spiritually sound decision you make you are taking one bite from the tree of life! (see Gen. 3:9, 24). Small decisions are seriously important because they do head us down the road. They determine our habits; our habits determine our character; our character, to some degree, will ultimately determine our destiny. Don’t justify or excuse any bad decision for any reason! Make good little decisions every today!

(5)  Don’t just make decisions based on right and wrong. Yes, of course we need to make morally sound decisions, but let’s go further than that. Here are just a few suggestions:

1. Choose the eternal over the temporal. In Jesus’ first sermon in Matthew, He gives great emphasis to this principle (see Mt. 6:19-21; 24-25, 33). It is no accident that within His conclusion He discusses the narrow and more difficult way that leads to life, and the wide and easy way that leads to destruction (see Mt. 7:13-14). Make sure your decisions reflect that the eternal are far more significant to you than the temporal!
2. Choose selflessness over selfishness. This is tough in a consumer based world! Jesus “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7). Christians are to partake of His mindset (Phil. 2:5). We can seek to have such a mind as Christ and choose to serve others rather than to be so self-serving (see also Phil. 2:1-4).
3. Related to the previous point… Choose to do the will of God! In other words, the avoidance of making poor decisions is a good start but it is not sufficient! Make the choice to use your talents and opportunities wisely (Mt. 25:31-46). Decide that you will seek to bring a lost soul to Christ (1 Cor. 9:19). Decide that you will add to your faith (2 Pt. 1:5-7) and grow in knowledge (see 2 Pt. 3:18). These are vital decisions that we make!

CONCLUSION

Our decisions ultimately reveal whom we choose to serve. Be like Joshua. Choose to serve the Lord! (see Josh. 24:15). It will be a blessing to your life now and forevermore!

Daren Schroeder

In the neighborhood of Queens, New York City, 1964, a young 28 year-old woman named Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death right outside of the apartment building where she lived. The reason this criminal incident is so well known is not because of the murder itself—as shocking as it was. The murder of Kitty Genovese is infamous because of the failure of every single one of the thirty-eight or so bystanders to take action to either stop the murder or call for help. Thirty-eight. Thirty-eight people were reported to have either seen or heard the murder happen, and yet not one person stepped in to help—or even called the police. Thirty-eight bystanders watched or listened on as Kitty’s life was taken from her that day.

This incident later became the foundation for the Bystander Effect or the Genovese Syndrome. Social psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley, who popularized the Bystander Effect, attribute it to two factors: diffusion of responsibility and social influence. Diffusion of responsibility basically means that the more “bystanders” there are, the less personal responsibility an individual will take on. The reason teachers love small-groups is because it is harder for individual students to diffuse responsibility among a smaller group. It’s also the same reason students don’t like small-groups, because they can’t just hide in the crowd. They have to interact, answer questions, etc. Then there is the social influence, which basically means that you will do whatever the other bystanders are doing—or not doing. In the example of Kitty’s murder, those 38 bystanders saw no one else doing anything. Even though a murder was happening right in front of them, they failed to break the conformity of that immediate circle of thirty-eight people.

How many times have we done this in our faith life? How many times have we told ourselves that we can just hide in the crowd and not have to take action? How many times have we been so afraid of stepping out of line or going against the grain that we fail to live the way we are called to live? Let me ask you, how many times did Jesus step out of the social influence, the conformity of his religious peers, and the diffusion of responsibility among the crowd—to reach out and help those who are in need? He saw them as souls having value, rather than just another outcast of society. Jesus healed the sick and the blind. The blind man at Bethsaida (Mk. 8:22-26) and Bartimaeus outside of Jericho (Mk. 10:46-52). He treated women and children as if they were creations of God rather than some property or second class citizens. He healed them and welcomed them (Mk 5:21-43, Mt. 19:13-15, Lk. 7:11-17). He approached lepers, the ultimate example of social outcasts, and treated them with civility and mercy (Mk. 1:40-45, Mt. 8:1-4, Lk. 5:12-16; 17:11-19). He touched them and healed them, something not even the priests would have dared to do. Jesus subverts our expectations at every turn, and he breaks conformity at every opportunity. He is not paralyzed at the sight of someone in need; he springs into action, and continues to work even today. When we are helpless and in need, our cries do not fall on deaf ears—not as long as Jesus is alive. And he is alive and working today.

We are called to be like Christ, and part of that calling is to break free from conformity and social influence (Rom. 12:2). We are not called to hide in the crowd. Never should our personal responsibility of righteousness and good works be diffused among the crowd. We must not have a “someone else will take care of it” mentality…ever.

I wonder if there were any Christians among the thirty-eight bystanders who watched and listened as Kitty Genovese was killed. May we never just be another bystander. May we never let evil and falsehood prevail in our presence. I pray that we all will work to break free from the paralysis of the bystander effect, and take action, every one of us, for Christ and his Kingdom.

You know, there is a positive aspect of the Bystander Effect. Just as people are negatively affected by the diffusion of responsibility and social influence, even those can be flipped to have a positive effect. All it takes is a few people to break that social influence, and spring into action. Then the other bystanders will be pulled to spring into action themselves. It is contagious. When those few break out, it breaks the spell of the bystander effect.

Christ calls all of us to be those few who will break the paralysis. However, we cannot break the conformity while still being a part of the world. We must first break away from the world and become one with Christ through repentance and baptism. Even after that initial step, the job is not done. As a Christian, we cannot just return to standing in the crowd as a bystander. Do not be a bystander; an onlooker; just another body in the endless sea of spectators. Remember that Jesus never froze up at the sight of suffering or need. As Jesus first broke through to reach us while we were still in sin, let us also break free from the paralysis of the bystander, and spring once more into action.

David Chang

While walking down a country gravel road, I often notice the shiny “rocks” glimmering in the sunlight. Upon closer inspection, the mineral can bear a striking resemblance to gold. As a child, I recall becoming excited by this discovery. Blessed with a mother fostering opportunities to learn, I had a chance to put my windfall to the test. She did a little reading herself from our World Book Encyclopedias before heading to the stove with my “gold.”

My mom placed the item under inspection over our gas stove’s flame with the shiny pebble gripped in a set of scissor tongs. As the flame lapped at the material, the smell of sulfur filled the air. The gold-looking material did not melt away but turned bright red; hence, it was pyrite. More specifically, it was iron pyrite. Fire is how you test to see if something is gold or “fool’s gold.”

How do we feel knowing that we, too, are periodically placed into the tongs above the fire? Of course, I mean this metaphorically. Times of testing come, nonetheless. Peter reminds us that these occasions allow us to prove our faith. We are like that gold tested by fire. Note that salvation only follows that testing (1 Peter 1.6-9). We must recall Jesus endured the same fiery trials, yet without sin (Hebrews 2.17-18; 4.14-16). He, of course, leaves us an example to follow (1 Peter 2.21).

Yes, we must endeavor to be gold refined by the fire. If we are lukewarm, like the Laodiceans, Jesus may well advise us to buy refined gold from Him as well (Revelation 3.17-19). The Laodiceans believed themselves prosperous but had pockets full of pyrite. Jesus told them He reproved and disciplined those He loves. So, it is not just the world holding us over the fire. Sometimes we need the Lord’s chastisement to bring about our repentance.

One day we will give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14.12). That is the ultimate test. God will be able to tell if we are gold or pyrite quickly. Those who are refined gold enter into the place He has prepared for the righteous (John 14.1-3). For those found to be pyrite, it is an unquenchable fire (Mark 9.42-48). Whether or not there is also the smell of sulfur as tradition often associates with hell, we still note that Scripture describes it as a place of darkness and the gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13.41-43). It is not where we want to spend eternity. Now is our time to be refined by the fire. Let us strive to ensure that we are Au (gold) and not FeS2 (iron pyrite).

Brent Pollard

Paul wrote to the Roman Christians and said, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death?” (Ro. 6:3). Paul was one hundred percent sure that “All” Christians in Rome had been “baptized into Christ.” All means ALL!

Paul wrote to the Galtian Christians and said, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Ga. 3:26,27). Again, Paul was positive that all who had become “sons of God” were “baptized into Christ” through faith. If “All” does not mean “ALL” then what does it mean?

It means that “all” who were a member of the church, who were “sons of God,” who had “clothed” themselves with Christ,” had done so through baptism.  Not “All” who had only believed, or “All” who had said a prayer, or all who had made a confession, but “All” who had been baptized. Would this teach that baptism was not necessary for some? Would an honest heart say that “All” does not mean “All”? Again, this time to the church in Corinth, we read, “For by one Spirit we were All baptized into one body” (1 Co. 12:13). Are you a part of the “All” who have been baptized, or a part of the “none” who have been taught otherwise?

-Dennis Doughty

It appears the most popular notion regarding a prophet or a prophetess involves foretelling the future. However, the Old Testament’s descriptive terms for prophets and their activities reveal a more expansive function.

For starters, the author of 1 Samuel provides an historical context. “Now it used to be in Israel that whenever someone went to inquire of God he would say, ‘Come on, let’s go to the seer.’ For today’s prophet (nābîʾ ) used to be called a seer (rōʾeh)” (1 Samuel 9:9).

Seer (rōʾeh) comes from a Hebrew word to see. It describes the prophet’s ability “to see” God’s messages, such as visions  (Jeremiah 38:21; Zechariah 5:1).  Such seeing could include hearing as well (1 Kings 22:7,17,19,20,21,22).

A second term for seer (ḥzh) also indicates the verbal idea of seeing. It might be translated as prophet in order to distinguish it from rōʾeh (Is. 30:10). Within our Bibles, the ḥzh term for seer can be found from 2 Samuel 24:11 through Micah 3:7, where translations might render it in any given verse as either prophet or seer (2 Chronicles 19:2).

Other descriptive terms for prophets include watchmen and servant. As God’s watchman, the prophet was accountable to God whether he faithfully announced God’s message (Ezekiel 3:17-18).

As God’s servant he was privy to God’s message (Amos 3:7; Jeremiah 7:25). Furthermore, like a king’s ambassador the prophet’s role entailed proclaiming the Master’s message (2 Kings 21:10).

When we examine the terminology within the Old Testament describing the prophets and their activities, we discover that their fundamental purpose involved revealing God’s message. From time to time they achieved this through drama (Ezekiel 4:1-3).  On other occasions they communicated through verbal or written forms (2 Samuel 24:11-12; Jeremiah 36:1-3).

And yes, sometimes the prophets did foretell the future.  Such prophecies might be certain or they could be contingent upon human responses (Jeremiah 18:7-10; Jonah 3:2-10).

However the prophets did not just foretell the future.  Much of their energy focused upon recounting the past and explaining how to live in the present (Jeremiah 11:1-8).

Studying the prophets of the Old Testament can provide us with a number of practical lessons. As Paul revealed, like the prophets of old we too are accountable before God for whether we share God’s message with those around us (Acts 20:26-27). Furthermore, in contrast to false prophets who might disseminate the inbreeding of human thinking (Jeremiah 23:25-27), “let him who has my word speak my word truthfully” (Jeremiah 23:28).

by Barry Newton

A new queen was needed. Xerses, king of Persia (also known as Ahasuerus) had deposed his queen Vashti because she had disobeyed him (although it seems he did this primarily to save face – see Esther 1). Arrangements were put in place to find a replacement who was young, beautiful, and pleased the king. One would be chosen to be queen and the rest would become part of the king’s harem.

I don’t know about you but such an arrangement seems dreadful to me. Any young woman trying to become the queen would be giving up her freedom whether she was chosen or not. The idea of a harem is that they could still be summoned by the king if he desired them.

This is when we are introduced to a young Jewish girl named Esther. Esther was an orphan and had been raised by her older cousin Mordecai. We could say that Esther was a lovely young woman, both in physical beauty and, as this book tells us, in character and faithfulness to God. But it would not seem that Esther had a choice in becoming part of this ‘beauty contest’.

“When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem” (Esther 2:8).

We might be tempted to shrink back in horror at the obvious ordeal Esther was about to be put through, to be forced into the king’s harem. But, as we will later see, God’s providence was behind what was happening.

The details of how the young women were prepared for a night with the king are interesting, with what seems to be a year and a half of beauty treatments.

“Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. And this is how she would go to the king: anything she wanted was given to her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.” (Esther 2:12-14)

When it was Esther’s turn she listened to the advice of Hegai. We see her character coming through in this description: “And Esther won the favour of everyone who saw her” (Esther 2:15). It was this young Jewish girl, who had concealed her nationality, who won the favor of the king and became the next queen.

The stage is now set for what would be salvation for the Jewish people.

What would we have done if we were in this situation? Would we have objected to being forced into the king’s harem? This would only have made life very difficult for us. From what we see in Esther she trusted in God and was willing to go where God needed her to be.

Esther is one of two books in the Hebrew Scriptures that doesn’t mention God (the other is Song of Songs). But even though God is not mentioned we see God at work in the lives of his people and in their faithfulness.

A question for us: can people see through our lives that we are followers of God?

by Jon Galloway

We Americans use the word “love” in a variety and mixed number of ways, not all of them having equal weight or value.  We “love” college football, hamburgers, french fries, lemon icebox pie, our country, the state we live in, the town we live in, the mountains, the beach, springtime, summer, the fall, some of us even “love” wintertime and a big, beautiful snowfall.

We “love” to play golf, fish, hunt, and work in our yards.  We “love” our cars and trucks, our dogs and cats, a friend, a certain TV program, a particular movie, a certain actor, a particular author, a special publication.  Teenagers “love” their girlfriend or boyfriend.  In grade school we all experienced “puppy love.”

A husband loves his wife and a wife loves her husband.  (Note: If I only love my wife in the same way I love a sporting event or banana pudding, I am in deep trouble!).  We love our children and grandchildren, our friends and neighbors, the church, the word of God, and our fellowman. Christians are to love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).  Certainly this is to be a far different kind of love than the “love” I have for John Grisham, the author of thrilling legal tales!

The New Testament was written in koine Greek (used extensively throughout the Greek-speaking world from the 4^th century B. C. to the mid-A. D. 6^th century).  It was the everyday language of conversation and commerce.  The Greeks had a number of words to express what we often try to express by the one word “love.” Much meaning and nuance is lost when only one word is used to describe such a vast, multi-faceted sentiment.  The New Testament employs different words in expressing various kinds of “love.”  While I do not profess to be a Greek scholar, I am able to read from the scholarship of others and learn the different words that were available in New Testament times to translate the word “love.”

Éros is the word that was used for sensual or passionate love.  It is the word from which we get the English word “erotic.”  God made humans of two genders: male and female (Genesis 2:18-25).  Sexuality is God-given and attraction to the opposite sex is normal. The form of the female body is different from the male body, and as someone said (perhaps Bob Hope), “Viva the difference!” Sexual drives and feelings are to be fulfilled and satisfied in marriage.  “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).  On the other hand, homosexual relationships are contrary to nature and the way God made us and are therefore severely condemned by God (Romans 1:24-32; I Corinthians 6:9-11).

Phileō (pronounced fil-EH-oh) is the word for brotherly love or the love we have for a friend.  It is the first part of the name of Philadelphia, “The City of Brotherly Love.”  It refers to tender affection and the enduring bonds of friendship.  Phileō cannot be commanded (we cannot be told to like another person), but it can be developed in relationships.  It is based on the qualities in another person that we find admirable and attractive and with whom we have much in common.  The difference between phileō and agápe (to be discussed below) is illustrated in a well-known conversation between Jesus and the apostle Peter recorded in John 21:15-17.  (Note: A good commentary will give an explanation of the two different words translated by the English word “love” in that text).

Storgē (pronounced STOR-gay) is the word used to refer to natural or instinctual affection, the bond of empathy and love that exists among and between family members—parents and children, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, etc.  This, of course, does not mean that agápe love does not also exist in these relationships.

Agápe (pronounced uh-GOP-a) is “the characteristic word of Christianity” (Vine), and is used in the New Testament to speak of God’s love toward His Son (John 17:26), His love for the human race in general (John 3:16; Romans 5:8), and His love for those who have become His spiritual children by faith in Christ and obedience to the gospel (John 14:21).  It is the word that expresses the essential nature of God (I John 4:8).  It is the love we are to have for God and our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).  Agápe is the love that husbands and wives are to have for each other (Ephesians 5:25-29; Titus 2:1-5) (not that the other kinds of love are not also present in this most intimate of all earthly relationships). Agápe is the love we are to have for our brothers and sisters in Christ (John 13:34-35; Romans 13:8), and even for our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).  In this sense, love can be (and is) commanded (I John 3:23; 4:21).  (We can and must have agápe love even for those we do not like). Agápe is a deliberate choice we each can and must make that earnestly seeks the well-being of others. The divine traits and the becoming behavior of agápe love are set forth in I Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3:12-14.  Next week, D.V., we will examine these wonderful characteristics.

While by no means exhaustive, it is hoped that this brief study has been helpful in understanding the different ways in which the word “love” is used in the original Greek of our New Testaments and the significance of the word as it is used in various settings and relationships.

Hugh Fulford

When Abraham Lincoln was an attorney, a very rich man came to see him. He wanted to file a lawsuit against a poor man for $2.50 (about $33 in today’s money). Lincoln tried to reason with the man, but his mind was set on revenge and he passionately insisted on the lawsuit. Seeing he wasn’t backing down, Lincoln finally agreed to take the case but only for a legal fee of $10. The rich man eagerly accepted, paid the fee, and walked away satisfied with his actions.

On the day the lawsuit was filed, Lincoln searched for the poor man. When Lincoln found him, he informed the man about the lawsuit.  Then, Lincoln handed him half of the $10 fee he had collected.  The poor man went that very day to confess judgment and paid the $2.50 (Norman Dog, Yarns & Stories of Abraham Lincoln, p. 185).

Revenge and grudges can cause us to make some ridiculous decisions. The rich man may not have cared or even realized it happened, but he actually walked away much worse off than he came. Not only was he out some cash, but his personal vendetta against the poor man hurt his character.

When someone wrongs us, it almost feels natural to seek revenge against them. No matter how “natural” it feels, this is the opposite way God wants us to act.  Consider Romans 12:17-21, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord, ‘But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Revenge shouldn’t even be in a Christian’s vocabulary. Following these guidelines will do wonders in our relationship with others. It will often prevent problems from ever starting. It will smooth them over when they do happen. Most importantly, when people do wrong us, we can rest assured that God is going to handle the situation much more appropriately than we ever could.

Brett Petrillo

I believe that God exists. I believe that He communicated with His creation by direct contact, messengers, and a series of ancient texts. I believe that He wants His human creation to be with Him after they die. I believe that He expects those who claim to be His to act within the guidelines He set in those ancient texts. I believe that there is life after death and that where we go depends on whether or not we follow this God.

Why do I believe this, though? What reason do I have to believe in something I cannot experience with my senses? I was not there thousands of years ago when the prophets and Hebrews talked to God. I was not there when God came here to teach. I was not there when the authors of the original texts delivered their writings to the early church. The ancient texts translated into English sometimes do not effectively communicate the emotion of the words and concepts in the original language. So why do I believe these things? Why do you believe these things?

Think about this carefully. From Genesis to Revelation the message is clear: God wants His people to exist with Him after time is destroyed. This message was communicated to an impossible variety of people, sometimes separated by hundreds of years, thousands of miles, culture, kingdom, race, and language. There are tens of thousands of manuscripts of these ancient texts in many, many different languages. There are some 25,000 New Testament manuscripts or fragments that are separated by about a thousand years, at least 8 different languages, thousands of miles of geography, and many different cultures. Yet, they are at least 95% accurate to each other. The remaining 5% do not contain a single contradiction; rather, they are spelling errors, slips of the pen, writing on the wrong line, or minor variances (“God said” vs. “He said” or “and” vs. “but”).

Of the rich libraries we have of ancient literature, none can hold even the dimmest candle to the profound accuracy and unity of the scriptures. They could not have been produced by man alone. There had to be Someone not confined by time supervising each person as they wrote. Keep in mind, these ancient cultures did not have the advantage of modern communication. They were almost totally isolated from each other and would have known little of the others’ existence, much less what they experienced or wrote from God. Our Bible has supernatural origins and its contents reveal the nature of our Creator. What I believe comes from this book because I know it is God’s message to mankind. I encourage those who have not already done so to do an in-depth study of the origin of scripture. It is one of the most faith-building studies anyone could undertake. When you know with certainty that what you are reading contains the actual thoughts and desires of God, it bolsters your faith in ways I could not begin to adequately describe.

Gary Pollard

A few years ago, someone graciously gifted me a great sitting, crimson (Roll Tide) couch for use in my office. I won’t deny that I was quite excited to add it to my office décor. After all, who doesn’t love having a comfy couch available to them? However, my new acquisition brought with it a different problem. Namely, that my office now had that cramped feeling of clutter. I simply had too much furniture in my office. How would it be remedied? Naturally, something would have to go. Which piece? Needless to say, I eventually figured it out.

Clutter tends to sneak up on us a little bit at a time. A little here…a little there. Then one day you look up to realize you can barely maneuver through it all. It is troublesome enough in our houses and cars, but it is especially ruthless in our spiritual and emotional lives. Abstract clutter can cause immense levels of stress, pain, and anguish, making life more difficult than is necessary.

The Word of God speaks of the burden of clutter and the need to remove it from our lives.

• Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. . . .

• Colossians 3:8-9 – But now you must also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds. . . .

• Mark 10:21 – And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

It is certainly hard to declutter our lives of certain things. Yet, if we desire to live up to the potential that God sees in and expects from us, it behooves us to figure out how to get rid of those things which get in the way.

Happy Cleaning!

Cory Waddell

Repentance means to change your mind, do an about-face, to change direction. In the context of salvation, it refers to changing one’s mind about sinning, turning from sin, and turning to God. It is prompted by a guilty conscience (Acts 2:37-38) and is attainable through the goodness and kindness of God (Rom. 2:4). But for repentance to be accepted by God, it must be genuine and sincere. It is here that I fear Christians sometimes abuse repentance.

It is possible, for example, to use repentance as an escape hatch for “planned sinning.” That is, a Christian might knowingly commit sin, thinking that they can “always repent later.” Or, one can go through the motions of repenting, without understanding or intending to comply with the changed life which it demands. After all, repentance has fruit, John the Baptist said (Mt. 3:8). Peter commanded his hearers to “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…” (Acts 3:19). And Paul told Agrippa that he “preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).

Any prayer to God for forgiveness which leaves a mental loophole for continued sinning is no repentance at all. Such mental finagling is an attempt to mock God, which Paul says cannot be done (Gal. 6:7). Have you really changed your mind about your sin, or are you trying to have it both ways? Remember, the Lord already knows the answer.

– by Jim King

Many differ about who Paul was talking about in Romans 7. He could have been speaking about himself as he was a human being who dealt with temptation and sin (as is seen in his other letters). He could have been talking in general terms about the human condition.

I am sure we can all relate to trying to deal with sin and temptation as is described here. How often have we never considered some sin only to be tempted by it when we read about it, whether in God’s word or elsewhere? How often do we want to do what is right but keep failing? We can relate to the struggle Paul describes here.

“For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want—instead, I do what I hate. But if I do what I don’t want, I agree that the law is good. But now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me.” (Romans 7:15-20 NET)

We want to do what is good and right but too often we succumb to temptation and do what is wrong and sinful. When this happens, sin has taken up residence in our lives, in essence taking over and controlling us. It isn’t that we have no control over what we do but that we have invited sin into our lives. We are allowing sin to deaden our conscience as we give in to doing what we know to be wrong. It is as if we are powerless to stop!

What is the problem? The problem is that we allowed the temptation to develop into sin. We did not turn to the one who can give us strength in these situations. I am thankful that when sin presents itself to us God also presents an alternative.

“So let the one who thinks he is standing be careful that he does not fall. No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

There is a great promise here: God will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear. This tells us that when we give in to a trial or temptation, God is not the one to blame. Not only is a temptation or trial presented to us, God provides the way out as well. Our problem is that we have to decide which we are going to take.

Jesus came to rescue us from sin. He paid the penalty for our sin and offers forgiveness. When we are in Jesus, we are no longer condemned and we have been set free from the law of sin and death.

“Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 7:24-8:2)

by Jon Galloway